GrammarN12 min read2026-02-17

〜弾み

Express that one event triggered another, often unexpected, event — things happening in the heat of the moment.

Meaning

This pattern indicates that one event serves as a trigger, causing a subsequent event to occur. The subsequent event is often unexpected or unintended. In the middle of a sentence, the forms 「弾みに」 and 「弾みで」 are used. Common set expressions include 「ふとした弾み」 (on a sudden impulse), 「何かの弾み」 (due to some unexpected cause), and 「ものの弾み」 (in the heat of the moment).

Formation

Part of speechFormation
Verb (た-form)弾み
Noun の弾み

Examples

  1. 急性腰痛、いわゆるぎっくり腰は、荷物を持ち上げたり、くしゃみをしたとさなど、ふとした弾みで起こる。
    Acute lower back pain, commonly known as a slipped disc, can happen on a sudden impulse — such as when lifting luggage or sneezing.

  2. 何かの弾みで中身が飛び出すといけないから、カバンのジッパーは閉めておいた方がいいよ。
    You should keep your bag's zipper closed, in case something accidentally causes the contents to spill out.

  3. いつも気をつけて発言しているが、ものの弾みで本音を言ってしまった。
    I always speak carefully, but in the heat of the moment I let my true feelings slip out.

Summary

  • 「〜弾み」 means "on the spur of the moment; the moment..."
  • Attaches to Verbs (た-form) and Nouns (の)

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